Firefighters Call a Mayday During Two Alarm Dwelling Fire
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Springfield Fire Company was dispatched on Monday evening, December 19th, at 1821 hours, along with RIT 20 (Garrettford Drexel Hill) to 45 Wayfield Road for a Dwelling Fire. Chief 06-9 (Collingdale) was driving thru the area and found smoke in the area of the residence and then was able to locate the source of the smoke, which was a house in the unit block of West Woodland Avenue. Fireboard had the assignment redirected to the new location and Engine 44-1 arrived on the scene with a 2 story single family dwelling with fire showing from the front door and smoke showing throughout the structure.
As Engine 44-1 was stretching 1 3/4" hose lines to start an interior attack, firefighters encountered fire conditions at the front door and a large portion of the first floor already burned away making access thru the front door impossible. Engine 44-1 Officer (44-12) established Springfield Command and was advised by County 911 that a homeowner had called and said that there might still be someone inside the residence. Command had Tower 44 and extra personnel from Rescue 20 ladder the structure and start searching the second floor of the residence via ground ladders. Command also requested a Second Alarm and an additional RIT Company.
As firefighters entered one bedroom on the second floor to search for the resident, one firefighter from Tower 44 fell thru the floor and into the basement of the dwelling. The downed firefighter and other firefighters called a Mayday, which activated the RIT (Rapid Intervention Team). The downed firefighter was quickly located in the basement, conscious, alert and oriented and was able to walk out of the structure with the assistance of the RIT members. A personnel accountability report (PAR) was conducted and all members were accounted for.
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| Copyrighted 2011 - Mark Sherwood |
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| Copyrighted 2011 - Mark Sherwood |
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| Copyrighted 2011 - Mark Sherwood |
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| With the injured firefighters accounted for and being treated by EMS personnel, Firefighters continued to work to gain control of the fire. The resident that was reported to possibly still be inside the dwelling was located outside the structure and was not home at the time of the fire.
Firefighters performed extensive overhaul operations once the fire was brought under control. Searches of the home located a family dog that had succumbed from injuries sustained during the fire.
Two Springfield Firefighters were treated and transported to Springfield Hospital for injuries sustained during the fire and were released from the hospital that night.
Companies operating on the scene were: Company 44, RIT 20 (Rescue 20 & Engine 20-1), Company 14 (Swarthmore), Company 73 (Rose Tree), Rescue 52 (Brookhaven), RIT 53 (Broomall), Canteen 47 (Feltonville), Ambulance 44-7 & 44-7A, Medic 106, Medic 23-7, Springfield Township Fire Marshal Car 1, Springfield Police, Morton Police, and 6th District Fire Police.
Engine 58 (Bon Air), Rescue 56 (Manoa) and Tower 05 (Glenolden) provided stand by coverage at Station 44 during the incident.
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| Copyrighted 2011 - Mark Sherwood |
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